![]() ![]() ![]() It is not uncommon to detect avian influenza in wild birds, as avian influenza viruses circulate freely in those populations without the birds appearing sick. “Through our ongoing wild bird surveillance program, APHIS (the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) collects and tests large numbers of samples from wild birds in the North American flyways. “The United States has the strongest avian influenza surveillance program in the world,” the USDA said. ![]() At the same time, the industry also acknowledges that the spread of the virus by migratory birds cannot be prevented and should subside once the migration period ends. The industry does not expect such a large outbreak this year because control measures at and between poultry operations are much stricter than in 2014-15. A massive outbreak in 2014-15 resulted in the loss of more than 50 million birds, accounting for about 12% of the US table egg laying population and 8% of the turkey population, and sent egg and egg production prices sharply higher for a time. Breaking egg and egg product prices moved sharply higher in March, which trade sources attributed at least in part to concerns about the spread of HPAI.
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